VIDEO: Alaskan grizzly bear surprises tour group
‘Hey, big boy!’ Nerve-wracking moment a huge bear lumbers back and forth past tourists in Alaska – as their guide calmly greets it
- Cara Siciliano was with a tour group in Alaska when they encountered a bear
- The seaplane captain who was showing the group around dealt with the grizzly
- The captain spoke calmly to the bear before it walked over to an information sign
- After seeing the bear on the sign, the grizzly headed in the opposite direction
This is the terrifying moment a massive grizzly bear walked past a group of tourists at a remote Alaskan nature reserve where the tour guide spoke directly to the large predator to encourage it to leave the area.
The video, which was shot by Cara Siciliano in Alaska’s Katmai National Park, shows how she was walking down the path with her friends when the bear suddenly appeared from behind them.
In the footage, the seaplane captain who brought the tourists to the area, said to the bear: ‘Hey, big boy!’
The video, which was shot by Cara Siciliano in Alaska’s Katmai National Park, shows how she was walking down the path with her friends when the bear suddenly appeared from behind them
The seaplane captain who brought the group to the remote area spoke with the bear
The grizzly, left, walked over to a sign warning about bears in the area, before turning around and going back the way he came
The captain used a clear and monotone voice as he spoke, to avoid startling the bear.
Siciliano said that she was walking down a path in the park with her friends when the bear suddenly appeared behind them.
Siciliano said the captain, who has guided trips in the national park hundreds of times, said he had never witnessed anything like this before in his life.
The footage, which was shot on July 14, was posted on TikTok where it has been seen my more than 10.6 million people.
The animal, who had just been fighting with another grizzly further up the trail, walked up to a sign warning about the presence of bears, before turning around and leaving the area.
The group stayed still as the captain addressed the bear, which according to experts is the correct way of dealing with such an encounter.
Experts warn that running away from a bear suggests that you are prey and they are likely to chase.
By talking to the bear in a deep voice, it is encouraged to move on without attacking.
According to the National Parks Service, it is important not to startle a wild bear.
In advice given to visitors to areas where bear encounters are likely, the NPS said: ‘Stay calm and remember that most bears do not want to attack you; they usually just want to be left alone.
‘Continue to talk to the bear in low tones; this will help you stay calmer, and it won’t be threatening to the bear. A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack. Never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal.’
People watching the video asked several questions and had plenty of comments.
People commenting on social media were unsure why the group remained so calm and did not try and escape from the bear
Rick Ellis asked why the group stood still when the massive bear approached.
Siciliano replied: That is exactly what we were instructed to do and be calm. That was the sea plane captain trying to keep everyone calm.’
The animal in the video had just been in a fight with another large bear further up the trail.
Commenting on the moment when the animal went to inspect the sign warning about bears in the area, Herman Salgado responded: ‘He was checking to make sure his picture was still up.’
Another person suggested: ‘Remember, you don’t have to outrun the bear. You just need to be able to outrun your friends.’
Max Frost warned: ‘Their lives were almost that scene from the Revenant.’
Morgan added: ‘Prey runs. Don’t run. Let them know you’re there and most importantly you are not afraid – aslo known as – not food.
‘It is Alaska, they did the right thing.’
The bear is one of 2,200 who is believed to live in the Katmai region of Alaska
The NPS said there are about 2,200 bears in the Katmai region and is one of the ‘premier brown bear viewing areas in the world’.
Rangers believe there are more bears than people on the peninsula.
According to their website: ‘As many bear populations around the world decline, Katmai provides some of the few remaining unaltered habitats for these amazing creatures.
‘At Katmai, scientists are able to study bears in their natural habitat, visitors are able to enjoy unparalleled viewing opportunities, and the bears are able to continue their life cycle largely undisturbed.’
